Crossing Svalbard

Crossing Svalbard in the far north of our amazing planet is home to polar bears, frozen landscape and is one of the most unique adventure destinations on the planet.
You have completed our Nordic ski and Polar travel course in Norway. Now it's time to put those skills to practice and ski across Svalbard. You will ski across a frozen ocean and navigate your way through mountain passes and experience one of the most unique landscapes on the planet.
Crossing Svalbard is achieved on ski’s. We will be crossing Svalbard pulling all our equipment in bulks, setting in camps on the wild glaciers that cover the whole Island. To get the most out of our Svalbard crossing trip, we recommend physical training 4/5 times a week and some previous Nordic skiing is necessary and important.

We have a great team of highly qualified staff, ex-military and special forces to lead the way. From Oslo in Norway you can fly into Longyearbyen and over night in a local guesthouse. This will give the team a few nights to sort through gear, food and pulks prepared for the 8 day crossing of Svalbard.

We will also do a training day on the ice near Longyearbyen. Once the team is ready we will move by snowmobile to the start of the skiing route. We will cover specific Polar training skills, Polar navigation, defense against Polar bears, sea ice travel, camp craft and camping routines. The cost of this training start from $5,500

Daily Distances

Day 1 Fly from Oslo to Longyearbyen

You should be looking to arrive in Longyearbyen in Svalbard today. There are flights direct from Oslo Gardermoen to Longyearbyen. We can help you pick the right flights into Svalbard. On arrival you will be picked up from the airport and stay at a guesthouse for two nights. Today is a training day, you can get your ski’s out and warm up the legs for the long crossing of Svalbard. You will also have the chance to go through all your gear, separate group equipment and get your sled/ pulk ready for the following days start on the ski.

Day 2 Pre Expedition Training Day

Today is a training day, you can get your ski’s out and warm up the legs for the long crossing of Svalbard. You will also have the chance to go through all your gear, separate group equipment and get your sled/ pulk ready for the following days start on the ski.

Day 3 Repack and prepare Gear

Re-pack and prepare equipment ready for the drop off on the east coast. Overnight in guesthouse.

Day 4 Ski Expedition

Travel to the east coast by snowmobile, to start skiing back towards Longyearbyen in the west.

Day 5 Ski Expedition

We will be skiing across Svalbard. We will help you develop specific winter skills for polar and cold weather travel. We will cover a wide range of techniques used in winter snow travel, helping you become more self sufficient in Polar navigation, polar bear safety, sea ice travel, camp craft and camping routines.

Day 6 Ski Expedition

We will be crossing Svalbard. We will help you develop specific winter skills for polar and cold weather travel. We will cover a wide range of techniques used in winter snow travel, helping you become more self sufficient in Polar navigation, polar bear safety, sea ice travel, camp craft and camping routines.

Day 7 Ski Expedition

We will be Crossing Svalbard. We will help you develop specific winter skills for polar and cold weather travel. We will cover a wide range of techniques used in winter snow travel, helping you become more self sufficient in Polar navigation, polar bear safety, sea ice travel, camp craft and camping routines.

Day 8 Ski Expedition

We will be Crossing Svalbard. We will help you develop specific winter skills for polar and cold weather travel. We will cover a wide range of techniques used in winter snow travel, helping you become more self sufficient in Polar navigation, polar bear safety, sea ice travel, camp craft and camping routines.

Day 9 Ski Expedition

We will be Crossing Svalbard. We will help you develop specific winter skills for polar and cold weather travel. We will cover a wide range of techniques used in winter snow travel, helping you become more self sufficient in Polar navigation, polar bear safety, sea ice travel, camp craft and camping routines.

Day 10 Ski Expedition

We will be Crossing Svalbard. We will help you develop specific winter skills for polar and cold weather travel. We will cover a wide range of techniques used in winter snow travel, helping you become more self sufficient in Polar navigation, polar bear safety, sea ice travel, camp craft and camping routines.

Day 11 Ski Expedition

We will be Crossing Svalbard. We will help you develop specific winter skills for polar and cold weather travel. We will cover a wide range of techniques used in winter snow travel, helping you become more self sufficient in Polar navigation, polar bear safety, sea ice travel, camp craft and camping routines.

Day 12 Ski Expedition

We will be Crossing Svalbard. We will help you develop specific winter skills for polar and cold weather travel. We will cover a wide range of techniques used in winter snow travel, helping you become more self sufficient in Polar navigation, polar bear safety, sea ice travel, camp craft and camping routines.

Day 13 Arrive back in Longyearbyen

We aim to arrive back in Longyearbyen today. We will sort out all the kit, shower, relax and celebrate our success. We will overnight at the guesthouse in Longyearbyen.

Day 14 Airport Transfer

Transfer to the Airport for your International flight back to Oslo and beyond.

  • Why Ski With us

    Our guides have all made many long distance ski tours in Norway, Greenland and North and South Pole. The team will be well equipped with the skills and equipment needed to help you safely reach your goals in challenging conditions.

  • What's Involved

    The trip begins with a 2 day pre-expedition training course, including an overnight camp and a chance to refresh from your training course in Norway. The main expedition comprises 10 days on skis (approx. 140km), crossing Svalbard from east to west. Everyone will haul their own equipment in a sled, as well as their share of the communal group equipment. Every night will be spent in tents, and all take part in the work required to complete the journey. This is also a unique opportunity to learn what it is like to be on tour in winter conditions. This trip is an ideal ‘stepping stone’ for those looking at completing longer ski journeys in the future, such as crossing Greenland icecap or skiing full distance to the South Pole.

  • Action Packed Adventure

    This is an action packed Polar adventure at the top of the world. Travelling to Svalbard is one of the world’s remote regions. You just need to make sure that you are prepared both physically and mentally. You also need to make sure that you have the necessary gear and equipment that will make your Svalbard crossing is an enjoyable and successful adventure.




What people said

  • James Green

    Svalbard Crossing 2014

    I have been fascinated with polar travel since my early twenties, read book after book about explorers. I wanted to sample some of that for myself. I found Ian online and his passion was infectious. I initially wanted to climb Kilimanjaro but after talking about my goals, I started planning a Norway training trip and then Svalbard crossing. Svalbard was the great challenge and experience I was looking for. I felt like I was crossing the Antarctic. Cold conditions, Polar bear, ice, mountains and the experience of a lifetime.

  • Francis Myers

    Svalbard Crossing 2014

    Crossing Svalbard was an amazing experience, great set up and service, excellent preparation and training advice. Ian Taylor Trekking’s service was by far the best I have used. Svalbard was not on the cards for me, but after doing some winter skills training in Norway in 2012, I was really keen to develop these skills and experience more winter cold conditions. Svalbard was the place and what a journey. Challenging, fun and a real adventure.

Ready to go?

Does this information excite you to take the next step towards achieving your goals of crossing Svalbard. If so, get in touch today.

We pride ourselves on making sure that our clients have every opportunity to succeed in the mountains, including professional training advice, gear lists and video links on how to pack your bag, and much more.

We are always available to answer any questions you may have by email, phone or skype, so contact us today!

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